Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Viktor Muzhenko, in Facebook statement on Thursday, 28 September refused to take the blame for the fire in the ammunition warehouses in Kalynivka.
"The enemy recalled that we are at war. The central target of their attack was the Armed Forces as the main supporter of the national security of Ukraine. All of sudden, we see those who seek to weaken the combat preparedness and integrity of the Armed Forces and against this background we realize their political ambitions. These people do not realize that the Armed Forces have changed, the war has tempered us all – from soldier to general. For those who have not yet realized: accusing me and my subordinates of inaction and appointing scapegoats will not work," Muzhenko stressed.
The fire and ensuing explosions of ammunition in the arsenal of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine near Kalynivka began at around 22:00 on Tuesday, September 26.
The SBU is investigating the explosions as an act of sabotage.
On 27 September, the Popular Front and some other political forces demanded the resignation of Viktor Muzhenko, who, in their opinion, should be held responsible for the fire.
NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov and chief military prosecutor Anatoliy Matios harshly criticized Muzhenko.